The DOJ is taking a second look at the proposed acquisition of ITA Software by Google, citing antitrust concerns. Earlier this year, Google agreed to buy ITA for $700 million in cash in order to bolster its travel division...
Will United Step in to Fill Void Left by Mexicana?
Mexicana ceased flying (again) on Saturday and it is increasingly likely that the historic Mexican carrier will be joining the likes of PanAm and TWA in that great boneyard in the sky. That gives other air carriers a chance...
Philadelphia to Washington, DC on Megabus
When I’m in Philadelphia, I often spend weekends with friends in Washington, DC. While I would prefer to fly or take Amtrak, bus travel is so inexpensive that I usually opt for that. Up until a few months ago,...
Southwest Airlines to Serve Newark with Continental’s Permission
Southwest Airlines will begin service to Newark’s Liberty International Airport next March in a move that was actually encouraged by United/Continental. Southwest already serves La Guardia and Islip/Long Island, but will add service to Continental’s East Coast hub in...
Court Sides with Southwest Airlines, Allows Coupons to Expire
In California, it is against the law for gift certificates to have expiration dates. Furthermore, they cannot even lose value due to inactivity, as is stipulated in the fine print of many gift cards. Enter Southwest Airlines, who recently...
Delta Challenging AA: Planning Heathrow Service from Boston and Miami
In a move showcasing Delta’s emphasis on international expansion, the airline has announced plans to begin twice daily service from Boston to London Heathrow and daily service from Miami to Heathrow. With the recent approval of a joint venture...
Darn Those T-Fares on United…
I missed another upgrade this week. Although I’ve got more SWUs and CR-1s than I know what to do with, I figured I’d have no trouble clearing an A320 (12 first class seats) on a Monday night Denver to...
Airport Ticketing: Comparing AA, UA, and US
My uncle will be embarking on a multi-city trip to visit extended family members this winter and asked me to find and book the airfare for him, specifying only the days and times he wanted. He has no airline...
Hyatt’s "Great 10K" Promotion — No Faster Free Nights!
Hyatt announced their fourth quarter promotion yesterday and it took many by surprise, myself included. For many years, Hyatt has offered "Faster Free Nights" during the Fourth Quarter, similar to their "Big Welcome Back" promotion they offered this spring,...
Delta Adds Flights to Cancún
Bolstering its already impressive Latin America network, Delta Air Lines is adding service to Cancún from four U.S. cities. Starting in February, you will be able to fly non-stop to CUN on Delta from Columbus, San Antonio, Austin, and...
Bickering Over the Post-Merger Identity of United Airlines
With a Continental merger drawing near, the LA Times featured a great article yesterday on the struggle over the re-branding of United. I won’t quote from it, but it discusses the ongoing debate over the livery of the merged...
What NOT to wear when you are flying in first class!
Maybe the guy was just protesting intrusive TSA search protocols or lost a poker bet, but I have to question what motivates someone to wear this on a plane. Then again, I am they type of traveler who won’t...
Another Unique Air New Zealand Safety Video
Air New Zealand has fun with its safety videos. Last year it was body paint, this year: rugby. Take a look at NZ’s new safety video below. You’ve got to give them an A for effort and a few...
Waited too long to burn my Hyatt "Big Welcome Back" nights…
Ugh. I knew I waited too long too call… I’ve got a couple free nights left from Hyatt’s spring "Big Welcome Back" promotion, where you could opt to receive one free night at any Hyatt hotel worldwide for every...
New Landing Procedures on United Airlines?
I’ll take to the air again on Monday to see for myself, but was dismayed to read on FT today that UA is revising its landing procedures. Right now, usually around 20-30 minutes prior to landing, a double chime...
RE: Buying Airline Miles –> Scott, You didn’t do your research!
Scott McCartney, author of the weekly Middle Seat column in the Wall Street Journal, is one of my favorite travel writers. Almost every week his columns provide an insightful look into many facets of the commercial airline industry. Once...
JetBlue Flight Pass Sold Out
If you haven’t purchased your JetBlue flight pass yet, you waited to long. Just two days after bringing back the popular promotion, B6 announced this afternoon that all passes were sold out. If I wasn’t going to be in...
No Three Perfect Days in this Airline Magazine
Airline magazines are generally easy reads. Packed with travel-related articles, propaganda promoting the airline, crossword puzzles, and mostly advertisements, even the best mags in the industry hardly leave a lasting impression. I do appreciate United’s Three Perfect Days feature...
Bedbugs Inflict United Airlines Passenger
Not a very comforting letter published in yesteday’s NY Times: To the Editor: Re “This Bedbug’s Life,” by May Berenbaum (Op-Ed, Aug. 8): I recently flew back to Los Angeles from Washington, D.C., business class on United Airlines. In...
Southwest Airlines Considers Investment in 737-800
Southwest Airlines, America’s largest domestic carrier, is thinking big. Their fleet of 737-300, -500, and -700 series aircraft have served them well, but slot restrictions at airports like BOS and LGA have limited their ability to grow in key...
